Fredericton Firefighters Museum

Historic Fires of Fredericton

Government House Fire of 1825

From late July to early October, 1825, no rain fell over most of New Brunswick. The province sweltered under a hot sun that parched farm and forest alike in an unparalleled drought. On September 19, a fire had broken out in Government House, Fredericton, and burned the whole place to the ground.

Fortunately, it took place in daylight, and caused no loss of life. By prompt action, Lady Douglas was able to save not only herself and her children, but all the Governor's papers and books, and most of his furniture. Hardly were Douglas and his family settled in a temporary residence than his misfortune was forgotten in a disaster that affected the whole community. The beginning of October saw no let-up in the drought. The community was soon to be affected by the Miramichi fire.

1831. Lithograph by Louis Haghe. Artist: Lady Anna Maria Head The cornerstone of this Georgian House, designed by J.E. Woolford, was laid by Sir Howard Douglas on July 1st, 1826. It replaced an earlier Governor's residence of 1787 which was destroyed by the fire in 1825. The new building was completed in 1828. Here on April 7th, 1866, occurred the historic encounter between Governor Arthur Gordon and Premier Albert J. Smith which precipitated the fall of the anti-Confederation Government and prepared the way for the union of the provinces. It continued to be the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province until 1893. It became so again in the 1990's.